WASHINGTON – House Republicans narrowly impeached Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas in a 214-213 vote, making him the second Cabinet secretary in U.S. history to be impeached on Tuesday evening.
The former secretary is charged with willfully refusing to comply with border laws and breaching the public trust.
“We’re happy to get the job done,” Speaker Mike Johnson told a reporter as he left.
The articles of impeachment will now be sent to the Democratic-led Senate where they are expected to be rejected
Last week’s House vote failed when three Republicans – Reps. Ken Buck of Colorado, Tom McClintock of California and Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin joined all Democrats voting against impeachment, holding up the vote for a 215-215 tie. The same group reaffirmed their stance Tuesday evening.
“[T]hey fail to identify an impeachable crime that Mayorkas has committed. In effect, they stretch and distort the Constitution,” Rep. McClintock stated. “Republicans don’t need to abuse the Constitution in order to prove our commitment to restore control of our border”
Republicans were able to pass the articles of impeachment on Tuesday night after House Majority Leader Steve Scalise returned to Washington after receiving blood cancer treatment.
“We have to be talking about securing America’s border if you want to have these other conversations about Ukraine, and [Speaker Johnson] has told that to the President,” Rep. Scalise said.
House Democrats interpret the impeachment passage as a political ploy rather than justified charges based on “high Crimes and Misdemeanors.”
“It’s really unfortunate that the Congress has stooped to this level to actually impeach someone for effectively trying his best to do his job when you disagree with how he’s going about doing his job,” Rep. Daniel Goldman told Medill News Service. “If that’s gonna be the precedent, it’s opening up a whole Pandora’s box for this House.”
A cabinet member has not been impeached in nearly 150 years. In 1876, secretary of war William W. Belknap faced articles of impeachment but was acquitted by the Senate.
“House Republicans will be remembered by history for trampling on the Constitution for political gain rather than working to solve the serious challenges at our border,” Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Mia Ehrenberg said.
President Biden responded in a statement Tuesday evening describing this impeachment as “baseless” and a “blatant act of unconstitutional partisanship.” Earlier in the day the president also urged the House to support aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan in the national security supplemental bill.
“Congress needs to act to give me, Secretary Mayorkas, and my administration the tools and resources needed to address the situation at the border,” President Biden stated. “The House also needs to pass the Senate’s national security supplemental right away.”
Under Secretary Mayorkas more migrants have illegally crossed the border than ever before. According to U.S. Customs and Border Control, more than 85% crossed the border illegally are released into the nation and awaiting court dates.
“It’s our border that matters, not other countries’ borders, our border matters,” Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green said. “Finally we’ve held Alejandro Mayorkas accountable for his willful betrayal of the American people and breaking federal immigration laws.”
